Sewa Day - National Blood Donation Drive April 2017
Sewa Day in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant are launching a new campaign to encourage more people from the South Asian communities to come forward and register as blood and organ donors.
Bharat Vadukul, Sewa Day Chairman said “People from South Asian communities have contributed generously in many ways in making UK their home. Around 14% of the population of England are black or South Asian but less than 3% of people who have given blood in the last twelve months are from these communities. The picture for organ donation is a similar one with patients from these communities over-represented on the transplant waiting list, yet underrepresented on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Black and South Asian donors are more likely to have rare blood types and require these rare types so it is essential that we have more blood donors from these communities.”
Amanda Eccles, Senior Marketing Coordinator Publicity and Events also added “People from South Asian communities can be susceptible to conditions, such as thalassaemia, which leave them requiring regular blood transfusions. Blood from donors with a similar ethnic background can provide them with the best match and offer better long term outcomes for patients.”
Bharat Vadukul added “When people from South Asian communities find out they may have rare blood and tissue types, I’m sure they will want to do everything they can to help save lives. There are many South Asian people who actively donate blood but we need more. I urge people to find out if they can donate blood, register online and to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. One day it could be someone you love who needs an organ transplant or a blood transfusion.”
Theo Clarke, National BAME Marketing Manager at NHS Blood and Transplant said “We are very grateful that Sewa Day is working with us to help save more lives. South Asian patients wait longer than white patients for transplants as there are not enough suitable organs available. By joining the NHS Organ Donor Register and sharing your decision with your families you could save up to nine lives, if you are able to donate after your death. By becoming a blood donor, you can save up to three lives every time you donate.”
You can join the NHS Organ Donor Register or become a new blood donor by calling 0300 123 23 23.
To speak to contacts in your area who are leading on this campaign, please contact Harkishan Mistry (Sewa Day UK Project Manager) on 0787 33444 83 or e-mail him at
Notes to Editors
Aims:
In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, Sewa means selfless service. Sewa is a universal concept, which involves performing an act of kindness without expectation of reward. Sewa Day encourages individuals, voluntary groups, schools, and companies to commit their time to doing a good deed with an aim of making a positive difference to someone else’s happiness, quality of life and prosperity. At Sewa Day, we believe that if we help even one person kindle the belief of ‘Sewa’ in to their very being – we would have achieved our aim. Sewa Day is not just about one day – it is about imbibing the values of ‘Sewa’ in to your life to serve others selflessly.
Individuals
Sewa Day is a chance for you to improve the community you live in by giving your time.
Voluntary Groups
Whether you are a charity, community group, trust or an association – by taking part in Sewa Day you can come together with other organisations, increase the chances of attracting new people, recruit volunteers and meet like-minded people.
Schools
We believe Sewa Day is different. It offers schools an opportunity to teach & encourage students to think about their local community and the impact they can have on others if they volunteered their time.
Companies
Volunteering brings development in terms of team spirit and culture, growth in all staff, the promotion of communication and interpersonal skills – these all make participation in Sewa Day a compelling opportunity.
Objectives:
On Sewa Day, we want individuals, Voluntary Groups, Schools, Companies to organise projects based on at least one of the guiding principles below:
• To Relieve Hardship & Poverty
• To Bring A Little Joy Where None Exists
• To Help the Environment
A yearly programme of activities and voluntary opportunities will enable individuals, Voluntary Groups, Schools and Companies to continually understand the concept of Sewa and bring this into their daily lives. Sewa Day is a catalyst in making this happens.
Outcomes:
• Empower people to make a difference through investing their time
• Understanding the concept of Sewa and how it can be integrated into everyday life
• Be part of a change in community which moves from selfish to selfless
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Getting people working together from all walks of life
• To get people to think about others
• Making new friends
• Encourage greater linkage between people.
Notes to Editors
NHS Blood and Transplant is a joint England and Wales Special Health Authority. We are responsible for ensuring a safe and efficient supply of blood and associated services to the NHS in England. We are also the organ donation organisation for the UK and are responsible for matching and allocating donated organs.
We are an essential part of the NHS and take pride in saving and improving lives by making the most of every voluntary donation, from blood and organs to tissues and stem cells.
Our work would not be possible without our donors - ordinary people doing extraordinary things by saving and improving the lives of others.
Our donor line - 0300 123 23 23 - is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with all calls charged at the standard local rate, even from mobile phones.
Blood donors can search for sessions, book appointments, change/cancel their appointments and change their contact details in real time at www.blood.co.uk
NHS Blood and Transplant needs to collect 1.6 million units of blood each year to meet the needs of patients across England. It’s important that we collect the right amount of each blood group at the right time to meet patient needs.
There are four main blood groups – O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common and therefore the most in demand. A regular supply of blood is vital – red cells last 35 days and platelets only 7 days.
The overall demand for blood is falling by 3-4% per year. This is due to improvements in clinical practice and is a trend that is being seen around the world. The drop in demand for blood is also thanks to our work with hospitals to ensure blood is used appropriately for patients.
We need just under 200,000 new blood donors each year to replace those who no longer donate for reasons such as ill health, pregnancy or foreign travel and to ensure we have the right mix of blood groups to match patient needs in the future.
It is quick and easy to join the NHS Organ Donor Register. Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk or contact our 24 hour a day donor line - 0300 123 23 23.
The register records your decision on whether you want to donate your organs and/or tissue after your death to save and improve the lives of others. It is used by authorised medical staff to establish whether someone has registered an organ donation decision.
Letting your family know your organ donation decision will make it much easier for them to support what you want.
Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register, age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation.
Registered Office: Sewa Day, 1100 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 8AD, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)7873 344483, E-Mail: Web: www.sewaday.org
Registered Charity No. 1146848